Saturday 13 April 2013

Saffin welcomes tax support for providers of ethics classes


Media Release 9 April 2013

Saffin welcomes tax support for providers of ethics classes

Page MP Janelle Saffin has welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement that organisations running ethics classes in government schools will be eligible to receive tax deductible donations.
Ms Saffin said people had lobbied her about the issue and she took it up with Assistant Treasurer, David Bradbury.
“Currently the tax laws contain general deductible gift recipient (DGR) categories for organisations which provide religious lessons in government schools to receive tax deductible donations, but there is no category for providers of ethics classes.
“The Australian Government wants to support ethics classes in government schools through the provision of the DGR tax concession.
“Minister Bradbury contacted me directly this week to tell me of the Government’s announcement.
“Under the changes, the Government will amend the DGR categories in the tax laws to include organisations approved by state or territory governments to provide ethics classes in public schools.
“This means organisations running ethics classes, such as Primary Ethics, will get the same benefits as organisations running special religious education classes in government schools.
“This is great news for these organisations, who will find it easier to collect donations because of these changes.
“It’s also great news for many parents as these classes give them more choices about the education opportunities for their children.”

No comments: